Push-to-connect joint assembly, device and method
A push fitting joint packaging arrangement allows the re-use and repair of push-to-connect fittings and valves without damage to the fitting or valve elements or the pipe, and without coining, gluing or threaded engagement of parts. In one embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement comprises a split fastening ring and a split O-ring support member.
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This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/246,597 filed Sep. 27, 2011, entitled “Push Connect Joint Assembly, System and Method”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,398,122, issued on Mar. 19, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/473,418, filed Apr. 8, 2011 and entitled “Piping Joint Assembly, System and Method”, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/981,855, entitled “Piping Joint Assembly, System and Method”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,576, issued on Jul. 3, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to fluid flow systems, and more particularly to a push-fit joint assembly, system and method that facilitates the repair and re-use of piping and tubing system parts without coining or threaded end caps.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONPiping systems exist to facilitate the flow of fluids (e.g., liquid, gas (such as air) or plasma). For example, homes, schools, medical facilities, commercial buildings and other occupied structures generally require integrated piping systems so that water and/or other fluids can be circulated for a variety of uses. Liquids and/or gases such as cold and hot water, breathable air, glycol, compressed air, inert gases, cleaning chemicals, waste water, plant cooling water and paint and coatings are just some examples of the types of fluids and gases that can be deployed through piping systems. Tubing and piping types can include, for example, copper, stainless steel, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “pipe” or “piping” will be understood to encompass one or more pipes, tubes, piping elements and/or tubing elements.
Piping connections are necessary to join various pieces of pipe and must be versatile in order to adapt to changes of pipe direction required in particular piping system implementations. For example, fittings and valves may be employed at the ends of open pieces of pipe that enable two pieces of pipe to fit together in a particular configuration. Among fitting types there are elbows, “tees”, couplings adapted for various purposes such as pipe size changes, ends, ball valves, stop valves, and partial angle connectors, for example.
In the past, pipe elements have been traditionally connected by welding and/or soldering them together using a torch. Soldering pipe fittings can be time-consuming, unsafe, and labor intensive. Soldering also requires employing numerous materials, such as copper pipes and fittings, emery cloths or pipe-cleaning brushes, flux, silver solder, a soldering torch and striker, a tubing cutter and safety glasses, for example. The process for soldering pipes can proceed by first preparing the pipe to be soldered, as the copper surface must be clean in order to form a good joint. The end of the pipe can be cleaned on the outside with emery cloth or a specially made wire brush. The inside of the fitting must be cleaned as well. Next, flux (a type of paste) can be applied to remove oxides and draw molten solder into the joint where the surfaces will be joined. The brush can be used to coat the inside of the fitting and the outside of the pipe with the flux. Next, the two pipes are pushed together firmly into place so that they “bottom out”—i.e., meet flush inside the fitting. The tip of the solder can be bent to the size of the pipe in order to avoid over-soldering. With the pipes and fitting in place, the torch is then ignited with the striker or by an auto-strike mechanism to initiate soldering. After heating for a few moments, if the copper surface is hot enough such that it melts when touched by the end of the solder, the solder can then be applied to the joint seam so that it runs around the joint and bonds the pipe and fitting together.
In recent years, push-fit technology has been employed with piping systems to reduce the dangers and time involved in soldering joints. Push-fit methods require minimal knowledge of pipe fittings and involve far fewer materials than soldering. For example, one may only need the pipes, quick-connect fittings, a chamfer/de-burring tool and tubing cutter in order to connect pipes using push-fit technology.
The steps involved in connecting piping systems using push-fit technology can be outlined as follows. First, the pipe is cut to the appropriate length and the end of the pipe is cleaned with the de-burring tool. Then the pipe and fitting are pushed together for connection. The fitting is provided with a fastening ring (also called a collet, grip ring or grab ring) having teeth that grip the pipe as it is inserted. The fastening ring device is employed to provide opposing energy, preventing the device from disconnection while creating a positive seal. Accordingly, no wrenches, clamping, gluing or soldering is involved. Push-fit and/or quick-connect technology for piping systems can be obtained, for example, through Quick Fitting, Inc. of East Providence, R.I., USA, suppliers of the CoPro® line of push fittings and related products. Also, such technology is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,089, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In past pipe coupling technology, the fastening ring is inserted into the fitting body along with a plastic grip ring support that typically fails under extensive tensile testing. Further, the coupling must then be either coin rolled, glued or receive a threaded cap member to retain the fastening ring inside the fitting body. In addition to the added steps for the manufacture and assembly of the coupling, the strength of the plumbing joint is determined by the retaining cap member. The additional steps and components add significant labor and manufacturing costs to the final product cost and reduce the overall production capability due to the extensive time required for proper assembly.
In addition to the above, when using a threaded retaining cap method, the process of cutting threads into the fitting body and the retaining cap elevates the cost of machining the fitting components. Further, the threaded end cap method requires mechanical assembly as well as the added cost and application of a thread sealant to the threads. In prior efforts that employ a coined retaining cap method, the process of coining the fitting body as the retaining cap significantly increases the cost of final assembly of the fitting. Additionally, the coining process permanently encapsulates the fastening ring inside the fitting, whereby the fastening ring cannot be removed without complete destruction of the ring and fitting.
Along with additional assembly steps and increased manufacturing costs, past pipe fittings and connection methods do not allow repair for various reasons. In some cases, this is because they are factory sealed, for example. In other cases, it is because the separation of the fitting from the pipe can damage or induce wear on the parts. For example, some push-to-connect fittings provide permanently fixed demounting rings for removing the fittings. The demounting rings can be depressed axially to lift the fastening ring teeth off of the surface of the inserted pipe, such that the pipe can then be withdrawn. This arrangement, however, can subject the fittings to tampering and shorter life. In addition, while fastening ring devices work effectively as an opposing retaining member, their functionality makes them nearly impossible to dismount, remove or detach for re-use. The fastening rings are thus permanently affixed unless they are cut and removed, which then destroys the fastening ring.
Whether connected by traditional soldering methods or with push-fit methods, past efforts have been specifically provided for the connection of like materials and lack the ability to connect two unlike materials, such as copper with CPVC, PEX or stainless steel, or any other combination of unlike materials. Past methods further invariably require the replacement of fittings and valves, and do not allow re-use of the fittings or valves in instances where only a small internal component needs to be repaired or replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention provides, in part, a push fitting assembly package that facilitates the re-use of push fittings without damage to the fitting elements or the pipe. The present invention connects piping using no tools, clamps, solder or glues, while creating a leak-free seal at the connected joining area. Further, unlike prior methods, the present invention can join both like and unlike piping elements in any combination, and without coining or threading the elements into place.
The quick connection pipe joint assembly package provided as part of the present invention employs a one-piece retaining ring and pusher that, when removed, exposes the clamping, sealing and fastening mechanisms of the fitting. The retaining ring and pusher member (“release pusher” for purposes of this disclosure) moves axially and can push the fastening ring of the present invention in order to facilitate the release of a cylindrical object such as a piping element held within the fitting.
For purposes of the present disclosure, a fitting (also referred to as a body member) can encompass a valve member and other piping elements including, but not limited to: a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a tee joint, a stop end, a ball valve member, tubing and other objects having cylindrical openings. In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more sealing member gasket inserts (e.g., O-ring members) fits within a first radial housing element defined in the interior wall of the fitting. In addition, at each pipe receiving end of the fitting, a second radial housing element is machined into the interior wall to retain the edges of the fastening ring. The interior housing elements provide integrated support for the sealing members and fastening ring when opposing force is applied to piping elements that have been inserted into the fitting. In one embodiment, a flexible metal support snap ring gland member is employed to provide additional support for the fastening ring.
One aspect of the present invention provides a novel push fitting joint packaging arrangement comprising a split fastening ring and a split O-ring support member. The split fastening ring can include a first and a second circumferential end point that do not connect, wherein the first and second end points include facing edges, and wherein the facing edges extend substantially radially outwardly along respective radial axes of the ring. The split o-ring support member can include a first and a second circumferential end point that do not connect, wherein the first and second end points include facing edges, and wherein the facing edges are not aligned with respective radial axes of the support member. The present invention can further comprise a split spacer member between the split o-ring support member and the split fastening ring. The split spacer member can be a separate member from the fastening ring, or can be integrated with the split fastening ring so as to form a crown-like member.
In one aspect of the present invention, once the fastening ring is inserted into the fitting, the fastening ring does not require any additional method or device to retain it under opposing force. The integrated radial housing element provides for a more stable fastening ring connection with the ability to withstand significantly higher tensile pulling forces than the prior art. As a result, the stability of the quick fitting fastening connection is not determined or co-dependent on a plastic retainer, threaded end cap or machined coined retainer.
The release pusher provided as part of the present invention is primarily employed to facilitate the release of tubing, piping and other cylindrical objects inserted into a fitting. The release pusher is manually pushed into the fitting body and tapered edges of the release pusher generally or nearly abut the installed fastening ring. When it is desired to release an inserted pipe, for example, from the fitting, the release pusher can be forced in the direction of the fastening ring such that its angular surfaces depress the fastening ring teeth off of the surface of the inserted pipe, thereby allowing the pipe to be removed.
In the push-fit piping joint assembly 10 as shown in
In one embodiment, the fitting 12 can be forged CW617N brass, with full porting and full flow fitting, for example. The lubricant for the sealing members 14, 16 can be a food grade lubricant, for example. It will be appreciated that the sealing members can comprise a flat ring or washer-type seal member in addition or as an alternative to a circular member of substantially circular cross-section. The fastening ring 18 can comprise a spring steel formulation, for example, that enables the fastening ring to be malformed during installation, while springing back into its originally manufactured position once installed. The fastening ring is capable of grabbing an inserted pipe's surface via two or more teeth 19 to ensure connections cannot be pulled apart. The fastening ring teeth are angled downward from the substantially cylindrical perimeter of the ring, toward the fitting and away from the cap, such that when the pipe is inserted, the teeth exert a pressure against the pipe to discourage the pipe from slipping or moving back out of the fitting. No wrenches, solder, welding, glue and/or twisting and turning the elements are required to form a connection. Specifically, the combination of the fastening ring, an O-ring support member and a fastening ring crown provide a push-fit piping assembly when inserted into any cylindrical pipe.
As shown in
In one embodiment of the release pusher of the present invention, the outer wall segments 25, 27 comprise a single linear segment from the radially outer ledge to the external tip. In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
During removal, a tool such as a specially adapted wrench, for example, can be applied to the outer top surface of the release pusher so as to exert a pushing and lifting force that causes the release pusher outer ledge to disengage the retaining lip 34. Once the release pusher is removed, the internal packing arrangement components are exposed for removal and/or replacement.
As shown in
The first radial housing element 40 is formed by a first housing back wall segment 44, the fitting inner wall 13 and a housing separator segment 46. The second radial housing element 42 is formed by the housing separator segment 46, the fitting inner wall 13 and a second housing front wall segment 48. The inner wall 13 is not labeled within the recesses of the housing elements 40, 42. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The fastening ring 18 includes a substantially cylindrical base 52 that has a plurality of bifurcated or square edged teeth 19 extending inwardly from and along the base of the ring 52. As shown in
In operation, the fitting 12 of the present invention is provided and one or more sealing members 14, 16 are inserted into the first radial housing element 40, as shown in
While the fastening ring 18 is shown in
In the embodiment of the present invention with the snap ring 90, the snap ring can be provided with a split similar to that provided in fastening ring 18 in
An alternative embodiment of the push connect joint assembly 110 of the present invention is illustrated in
As shown in
The first radial housing element 140 is formed by a first housing back wall segment 144 and the fitting inner wall 113. The second radial housing element 142 is formed by the housing separation point wall 146, the fitting inner wall 113 and a housing front wall segment 148. In one embodiment, the radius of the second radial housing element 142 is slightly larger than the radius of the first radial housing element 140.
In one embodiment, the interior diameters of the sealing member support ring 117, fastening ring 118 (as measured to the teeth 121 and not the ring cylindrical base), spacer member 119 and sealing members 114, 116 are substantially the same, and the interior diameters of the fitting 112 and the release pusher 120 are substantially the same. Further, the interior diameters of the sealing member support ring 117, fastening ring 118, spacer member 119 and sealing members 114, 116 are slightly less than that of the fitting 112 and release pusher 120 so as to facilitate proper operation of the present invention.
As shown in
As shown in
The fastening ring can further include fixture points for handling and compressing the fastening ring, as described above. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixture points are provided at the split end so that a tool designed to hold the fastening ring at the fixture points can more easily handle and compress the fastening ring in order to assist with assembly or disassembly. Once compressed, the fastening ring is easily insertable into the second radial housing element 142 of the fitting 112 by releasing the compression hold on the fastening ring, thereby allowing the fastening ring to expand such that the circumferential base engages the walls of the second radial housing element. The fastening ring can be removed from the second radial housing element in reverse manner. In one embodiment of the present invention, the split fastening ring 118 has a diameter that exceeds the diameter of the split sealing member support ring 117. No wrenches, solder, welding, glue and/or twisting and turning the elements are required to form or disengage a connection.
As further shown in
As shown in
The release pusher 120 is substantially cylindrical and hollow and includes an external tip 122 at the fastening ring engaging end thereof, as shown in
In one embodiment of the release pusher of the present invention, the second outer wall segment 150 comprises a linear segment from the radially outer ledge segment 135 to the external tip 122. As shown in
In operation, the fitting 112 of the present invention is provided and one or more sealing members 114, 116 are inserted into the first radial housing element 140, as shown in
The angles described herein will be understood to be exemplary and provided as embodiments associated with proper working operation of the present invention. For example, the angles of the top surfaces of members 46 and 48 contribute to the stability of the present invention as well as the easy manipulation of its component parts. Further, it will be appreciated that, in one embodiment of the present invention, the members of the push connect joint assembly are formed through hydroforming processes.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims of the application rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
Claims
1. A push fitting joint packing arrangement, comprising:
- a fastening ring, wherein the fastening ring includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped support base having an interior and an exterior side, with the interior side having a single axial position and not multiple axial positions from which a plurality of teeth extend, and wherein the fastening ring has a diameter that exceeds the diameter of a split o-ring support member;
- the split o-ring support member immediately adjacent the fastening ring; and
- a spacer member integrally formed with the fastening ring to form a single monolithic member.
2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth have circumferential separations therebetween along the single axial position of the interior side of the support base.
3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the split o-ring support member includes a first and a second circumferential end point that do not connect, wherein the first and second end points include facing edges, and wherein the facing edges are not aligned with respective radial axes of the support member.
4. The arrangement of claim 1, further including at least one o-ring member.
5. The arrangement of claim 1, further including a push release cap.
6. A method of enabling a fitting to receive a pipe through push connection, comprising:
- providing a fitting;
- inserting a split o-ring support member into the fitting;
- providing a fastening ring with a spacer member integrally formed therewith to form a single monolithic member, wherein the fastening ring includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped support base having an interior and an exterior side, with the interior side having a single axial position and not multiple axial positions from which a plurality of teeth extend, and wherein the fastening ring has a diameter that exceeds the diameter of the split o-ring support member; and
- inserting the fastening ring with integral spacer member into the fitting.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of teeth have circumferential separations therebetween along the single axial position of the interior side of the support base.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the split o-ring support member includes a first and a second circumferential end point that do not connect, wherein the first and second end points include facing edges, and wherein the facing edges are not aligned with respective radial axes of the support member.
9. The method of claim 6, including the step of inserting at least one o-ring member into the fitting before inserting the o-ring support member.
10. The method of claim 6, including the step of inserting a push release cap into the pipe fitting.
11. A push fitting joint packing arrangement, comprising:
- a piping element having an inner wall;
- at least one o-ring member maintained against the piping element inner wall, wherein the at least one o-ring member comprises a pair of o-ring members substantially abutting one another within the piping element;
- a split o-ring support member immediately adjacent the o-ring member, with the support member having a radially outer surface engaging the piping element inner wall; and
- a fastening ring immediately adjacent the split o-ring support member, wherein the fastening ring has a diameter that exceeds the diameter of the o-ring support member, wherein the fastening ring includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped support base having an interior and an exterior side, with the interior side having a single axial position and not multiple axial positions from which a plurality of teeth extend.
12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the plurality of teeth have circumferential separations therebetween along the single axial position of the interior side of the support base.
13. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the split o-ring support member includes a first and a second circumferential end point that do not connect, wherein the first and second end points include facing edges, and wherein the facing edges are not aligned with respective radial axes of the support member.
14. A push fitting joint packing arrangement, comprising:
- a fastening ring, wherein the fastening ring includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped support base having an interior and an exterior side, with the interior side having a single axial position and not multiple axial positions from which a plurality of teeth extend;
- a split o-ring support member immediately adjacent the fastening ring;
- a spacer member integrally formed with the fastening ring to form a single monolithic member; and
- a push release cap.
15. A method of enabling a fitting to receive a pipe through push connection, comprising:
- providing a fitting;
- inserting a split o-ring support member into the fitting;
- providing a fastening ring with a spacer member integrally formed therewith to form a single monolithic member, wherein the fastening ring includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped support base having an interior and an exterior side, with the interior side having a single axial position and not multiple axial positions from which a plurality of teeth extend;
- inserting the fastening ring with integral spacer member into the fitting; and
- inserting a push release cap into the pipe fitting.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Feb 1, 2013
Date of Patent: Dec 22, 2015
Patent Publication Number: 20140152002
Assignee: Quick Fitting, Inc. (Warwick, RI)
Inventors: David B. Crompton (Tiverton, RI), Libardo Ochoa Dias (Pawtucket, RI)
Primary Examiner: David E Bochna
Application Number: 13/756,789
International Classification: F16L 19/08 (20060101); F16L 37/091 (20060101);